Policy framework
National Action Plan
Name:
Legislation for the prohibition of (I) single use plastic bags, single use Styrofoam plastic cups and plates (II) container deposit legislation 2016
Brief description:
Law bans manufacture and importation and use of; single use plastic bags, Styrofoam products such as cups, plates, single use plastic cups and plates; Container deposit legislation introduced recycling of PET bottles and pay refund fees for all recycled PET bottles.
Legal framework
Name:
Waste and Pollutants Regulation:
Recycling Regulation 2021
Measures
Measures |
Achievements |
Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation |
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Charge for single-use plastic products (e.g. shopping bags, straws) |
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Names of actions: Part 2, section 503 – Prohibition on the importation, manufacturing, sale or distribution of Styrofoam cups and plates, disposable plastic cups and plates, and plastic shopping bags. Part 2, section 504 – Any person, who violates Section 3 of the Act, shall be guilty of an offense and upon conviction liable for up to six (6) months imprisonment or ten thousand five hundred dollars ($10,500) fine, or both. Targeted products: |
We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years |
Actions for encouraging sustainable / circular product design | |
Names of actions: Styrofoam cups and plates, plastic cups and plates, and plastic shopping bags: Part 2, section 503, paragraph 2 – Nothing in this Section shall prevent a person from importing, manufacturing, selling or distributing use recycled paper bags or reusable shopping bags. |
We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years |
Measures |
Achievements |
Environmentally sound waste management |
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Enforcement of proper waste management system |
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Solid Waste Regulations, Part VIII: Violations:
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We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years |
Prevention of littering, illegal dumping and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean | |
Names of actions: MIPDES Regulations – For the purpose of establishing general and specific criteria to limit point source discharges of pollution into the marine waters of the Republic, a system for issuing, modifying, revoking and reissuing, terminating, monitoring and enforcing MIPDES Permits shall be set forth by the Authority by public regulation. Part VII – Pollution Control Requirements:
Marine Sanitation Device:
Sewage Discharge from Vessels
Hazardous substances:
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We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years |
Measures |
Achievements |
Cleanup of marine plastic litter |
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Collection of scattered waste on beach |
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Comments: Part IV – Solid Waste Management Responsibility: Public activity – A person sponsoring any public activity, including charitable, fundraising, recreational, civic, sporting or entertainment events, is responsible for the collection, storage, transportation and disposal of all solid waste generated as a result of the event. Solid waste shall be collected, removed, and disposed of in an approved solid waste disposal facility. Littering – No person may deposit solid waste in, on or along a road right-of-way, street, trail, turnaround, drainage structure, water of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, public recreation facility or any other public or private property, unless |
Measures |
Achievements |
Promotion of innovative solutions |
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Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives (e.g. biodegradable plastics, circular product design – including use of recycled materials or closed-loop recycling) |
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Names of actions: Styrofoam cups and plates, plastic cups and plates, and plastic shopping bags: Part 2, section 503, paragraph 2 – Nothing in this Section shall prevent a person from importing, manufacturing, selling or distributing use recycled paper bags or reusable shopping bags. “reusable shopping bag” – shopping bags which are not plastic that can be reused many times, including local baskets; this is an alternative to plastic shopping bags. |
We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years |
Public-private partnerships for creating and implementing innovative solution | |
We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: |
Measures |
Achievements |
Education and awareness raising |
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Education system for encouraging public awareness on MPL issues |
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It’s currently in progress, however, so far RMI EPA has been presenting to the local governments as well as other relevant stakeholders’ in the importance of reducing marine pollution from land-based resources as well as developing a plan to address the marine pollution issues. | |
Awareness-raising campaigns related to MPL | |
National level: Names of actions: Local level: Names of actions: |
Measures |
Achievements |
Monitoring & Scientific research on marine plastic litter |
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Engagement in international/regional level actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics |
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Names of actions: The Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority commissioned a project to assess three key areas connecting ocean and human health:
RMI EPA was very fortunate to have the results as well as being involved with this research project. |
Challenges
- Recycling system improvement
- Proper waste management system (including lack of local capacity)
- Data collection related to waste in general
- Data collection related to marine plastic litter
- Lack of awareness among citizens, business, local governments
- Lack of financial incentives for waste treatment in general
- Lack of financial incentives for technology development
- Project delays due to COVID-19